WALKING

September 23, 2021

WALKING HISTORY

September 24, 2021

Oh, how we have walked these days in Rome. Our average over the past 2 weeks has been 5 miles a day. In the glaring sun and heat. We've walked and stopped to read, or discuss, or ask questions, or take photos and then we've walked some more. That's been our job. We've worked hard at it and added to our "wonder" bucket, which is overflowing! And we've learned a lot. What a true privilege to be able to be on a mission to explore and learn; as well as to play and celebrate.

Here are some of our treasured walking places:

The "cripta," or crypts under St. Peter's Basilica.

We had to reserve this tour months ago. It is thought that the Apostle Peter's remains were found here marked by some early graffiti (of course!) in a wooden box a small distance from the "official" monument constructed in the early centuries after Christ. The tour was a gradual descent into the narrow, dark hallways 2 levels under the floor of the Basilica dome. It was a beautiful, peaceful, and emotional moment when our Italian guide asked us to pause and pray for a couple of short minutes. Not a sound was heard except for some sniffles from our small group. ( no pictures were allowed, but I'll add one from the altar over the crypt and from the Basilica floor/little grates that allow air to flow from there to the crypt below. I also added the text from the dome that says "YOU ARE PETER" "and upon this rock/Petrus I will build the church...").

The Coloseum, Capitoline Hill, San Pietro in Montorio (high on the hill above our neighborhood), Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Campo De' Fiori, The Spanish Steps, The Quattre Fontane, Saint Paul Outside the Walls (the Apostle Paul was buried outside the original walls of Rome), The Barberini garden and palace museum....

There are many, many places we've visited and we walked to most of them. We're so thankful for very good sandals!

The Jewish ghetto, synagogue, and Auschwitz museum.

Incredibly, the Jews in Rome were kept in their own gated community for centuries. Well before the rise of Hitler, they had a curfew and were forced to wear yellow scarves and hats (we're talking 16th century...). The history of Jews in Italy is painful. Italian Jews were deported almost entirely to Auschwitz from 1943-1945. They endured horrible treatment and high numbers of extermination...an awful and sobering history. Today there are numerous Kosher bakeries, restaurants and cafes. We are glad this was part of our visit to Rome, and an addition to our knowledge of WWII Europe regarding both of our fathers and their service here. (pictures were not allowed here either.)

Ostia Antica.

This was an amazing surprise for us. After a 45 minute train ride toward the Mediterranean, we found ourselves thrown back in time. There are acres upon acres of preserved buildings and ruins at the original mouth of the Tiber, which has moved over time a bit to the north. The layout of this early port town tells an ancient tale of advanced baths (both hot and cold), temple worship to multiple ancient deities and one unknown deity (which reminds us of the Apostle Paul's experience in Athens from Acts 17). The remains of the small city speak of order and artistry in the everyday spaces, appreciation for fine architecture and incredible quarried stone. An original open air theater that seats 4000- still used for small productions- is very central. Ancient masks carved in relief, still hang over the stage. The very large adjacent marketplace continues to exhibit mosaic floors which form pictures of the function of the shop it was laid before . A mosaic of a ship for imported goods, a barrel for grain or oil, a fish for a fish seller, an elephant for a trader in Libyan ivory or exotic animals. While we walked and imagined those early days, there were very few tourists. We basically had the place to ourselves with folks speaking various languages passing us now and then, here and there. I even found a reclining statue that reminded me of someone!